Darling: Live at The Academy

Despite the apocalyptic weather outside, a dedicated crowd have made their way through the storm to catch a live performance by Dublin’s best-kept secret. And though Darling only released debut EP Echoes last October Gary Harding and James McGuire have the sound, confidence and swagger of a far more seasoned band.

From the get-go, the pair’s sound is epic; and while tonight’s set takes place in the intimate surroundings of the Academy 2, HP has a feeling that larger shows will soon come calling. All catchy hooks and heartfelt vocals, the pair marry the best of rock and synth. In fact, it comes as no surprise that UK producer Stephen Lipson worked with the boys on Echoes. With a resume that includes Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Ultravox, Lipson’s ‘80s influence can be heard on the EP’s excellent title-track, ‘Echoes’.

Other highlights from the boys’ relatively short set (fingers crossed a full-length LP is on the way) are the epic, hook-ridden ‘Sail Away’, and a rocked-up cover of ‘Sound Of Silence’. And with that, the Darling duo are off into the night. We suspect though, we’ll be seeing a lot more of these guys in the not-so-distant future.